Pagoda to Heaven

Our first stop along the Yangtze is the small town of Shibaozhai

The town is a relocation town where most of the residents are relocated farmers or original town peoples who were forced to move during the building of the three gorges dam project… but what is the main attraction is a Pagoda which goes to Heaven, and if you're especially limber – Super Heaven!





Over 600 years ago, there was a monastery, built on a tall rocky island surrounded by the river water… but the unusual thing is that the monastery was built using rock from above and everything else was hauled up on the backs of monks using hand holds… many people fell to their deaths trying to climb up to the monastery. It was only then that a pagoda was built, 600 years ago to allow more safe access to the monastery.. and that same pagoda is still standing today.

Island (you can't see the bridge) with the wall protecting it from the new higher water level

View from the Suspension bridge leading to the island

The Pagoda
Blue roof are the Heavens... first is just regular Heaven and the top one is Super Heaven

There is 99 steps up to the top of the pagoda (known as Heaven) and there are another 14 steps to a look out which is perched over top of the main pagoda (known as Super Heaven)… For the last few meters before "Heaven" guests have the opportunity to climb the rest of the way using the old 'pathway' that had been used before the pagoda was built....

Steps in the Pagoda

Steps outside (picture doesn't do it justice)
Each step was about 18" high...

And now for the views!

From Heaven:

Down River

From Super Heaven:

Up River (towards the city)

Trap door for "Super Heaven" - might explain why there was so few people  get into "Super Heaven"?

In the Monastery:

Front Door leading into the Monastery
It was occupied until the cultural revolution under Chairman Mao.. but has been empty since..

Just a neat picture (just to the right of the main platform for the gods statues)

Wood Carving on chest in front of statues of gods (painted gold)

There is also a bridge, which if you can cross in just three steps – you are given good luck… it was interesting watching everyone cross it. Terry was so good, that he almost crossed it in two steps and he had to quickly take another step since only two steps would bring bad luck!

Yeeeah, but I'd like to see you do it at 5' tall and look like a super model too!
Note for future visits: pictures from the front!

Oh, and you notice the fellow with the video camera in the picture?? Oh yes, he was with the tour company.... for the cruise DVD.. So that's right folks, this delightful exhibit of swan like grace from yours truly with be seen over and over again by numerous friends and relatives who are forced to watch the footage from 'Grandma and Grandpa's China Cruise'  ... *hangs head in shame* and in hi-def if they bought the Blu-Ray version...

And I did get my apparent good luck :-P

~Miranda